Meridian wins national award for its My Commitment to Communities Program

TORONTO, May 8, 2019 /CNW/ - Meridian's My Commitment to Communities Program is the recipient of the coveted 2019 National Credit Union Social Responsibility Award bestowed by the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA).

"We are honoured to be acknowledged nationally by industry peers for a program that is core to our business philosophy and success," said Bill Maurin, CEO of Meridian. "This program delivers many positive outcomes to the communities in which we live and work. Through the My Commitment to Communities Program, our employees are having a direct social and economic impact on the organizations in their own backyards that often play key support roles in their lives."

Meridian's signature employee giving program is designed by employees for employees. From its inception, employee insights were leveraged to ensure that the program was accessible, flexible, and reflected what was important to them. In 2018, nearly 50 per cent of Meridian employees participated in the My Commitment to Communities Program, demonstrating their overall engagement at work, and the profound impact community involvement has had on their personal and professional lives.

"We have a culture that recognizes how empowering it is for individuals to be part of something bigger than themselves," said Anne Berend, Meridian's Chief Employee Experience Officer. "Corporations with a clearly defined purpose have employees who are more engaged and willing to stay. Customized programs like My Commitment to Communities help employees deliver on our purpose for our Members with passion and authenticity."

CCUA's Social Responsibility Award recognizes the leadership, innovation and advancement that credit unions demonstrate in their social and environmental performance, creating shared value by integrating social and environmental impact into the core business to drive economic value.

Meridian's market-leading community program has four standout features:

Competitive Rewards that give each employee access up to $1,500 to amplify their personal community impact. Meridian matches employees' donations and fundraising to any Canadian charity to a maximum of $1,000 per year and provides volunteer rewards to employees and an immediate family member up to $500 per employee per year.

Personalization without restrictions on the causes our employees can support. Any specific charities and non-profits to which they choose to donate, fundraise or volunteer will receive a match from Meridian.

Flexibility with little to no barriers to participation. There are no minimum donation amounts or volunteer hours required, so contributions of $1 or 1 minute are matched and rewarded.

Digital accessibility makes it easy. Meridian was the first financial institution in Canada to employ a best-in-class interactive intranet software product created by Canadian start-up Benevity Inc.

CCUA's National Credit Union Awards Program recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of credit unions and credit union leaders, for their positive impact on the communities in which they live and work. The awards ceremony took place last evening on May 7, 2019 in Winnipeg Manitoba.

About Meridian With more than 75 years of banking history, Meridian is Ontario's largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, helping to grow the lives of its more than 300,000 Members. Meridian has $21.3 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2019 and delivers a full range of financial services online, by phone, by mobile and through a network of 91 branches across Ontario, and commercial banking services in 11 locations. Meridian Members also have access to THE EXCHANGE® Network, with 3,700 no-fee ABMs across Canada and 500,000 ABMs in the United States. For more information, please visit: meridiancu.ca.